Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Home Front

Briefs and news of note.

By JUDY STARK
Published January 13, 2007

YOUR LUGGAGE DESERVES A ROOM OF ITS OWN

More of what's in and out for 2007, from Chicago real estate agent and writer Mark Nash.

HOT

- Glass tiles rather than ceramic.

- Refrigerator and dishwasher drawers.

- Exotic and reclaimed woods.

- Luggage rooms (for suitcases, travel-sized containers, those quart-sized zip-top bags).

- Bold, deep colors for trim.

- Wrought-iron fences rather than wood or chain-link.

- Textures (stone, wood, natural fibers, weathered wood).

- Engineered stone countertops (Zodiaq, for example, or Silestone).

- Second laundries in the master suite.

NOT SO HOT

- Above-counter bowl sinks (the splash factor).

- Glass kitchen cabinet doors (hard to keep cabinets neat).

- Too-narrow breakfast bars (no place to spread out the paper).

- Untrimmed interior window openings (looks cheap).

- Bamboo floors (the scratch-and-dent factor).

- Spiral staircases (so 1970s; too hard for boomers, kids and pets to navigate).

Buy a bit of history

More than 100 dealers are exhibiting furniture, art, jewelry, glass, toys, pottery, vintage clothing and Florida memorabilia from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday at the Sunshine City Antiques and Collectibles Show. New this year: dealers of Americana, folk art and Civil War and military items. The show is at the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Admission is $6; children 12 and younger free. Free parking. Information: (727) 823-4130 or www.sunshinecityantiqueshow.com.

Help your hands

Those plastic bags from the grocery store cut into your hands. Slip them over the EZcarry and tote them with ease. The soft-grip handle provides a comfortable hold, and the dip in the suspension bar keeps bags from slipping off. It's $9.99 at www.theezcarry.com and at some Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens 'n Things stores.

Compiled by Homes and Garden editor Judy Stark

[Last modified January 12, 2007, 09:24:02]